a diminutive volume that provides a surprisinly complete and beautifully readable overview to this topic - all without resorting to specialist jargon. (The Guardian )
This text is the essential tool for identifying arthropods-including varieties of insects, spiders, mites, and scorpions-and the health problems they cause. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Lyme disease, and tick-borne ehrlichiosis are serious worldwide threats to human health. For those living in industrialized nations, the main threat lies with stings and bites of various species and the reactions they cause. Allergic reactions to even common insects such as bees or fire ants can be severe-sometimes resulting in death. Because quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment is imperative, the Physician's Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance provides easy-to-find, detailed information about insect- and other arthropod-caused health problems. The volume begins with several chapters devoted to the pathologic conditions caused by arthropods and treatment regimes for each. When a specific arthropod is discussed in Part I, a parenthetical reference is provided, indicating where more detailed information can be found in Part II. In Part II, descriptions of each arthropod are listed alphabetically with clearly marked subheadings so you can go directly to the topic you need without reading any extraneous material. Part III provides a glossary of entomological terms and an index, which includes pathologic conditions and common names to further aid you in finding a specific condition or insect.
As of today, a total of more than 240 human space flights have been completed, involving about 450 astronauts from various countries, for a combined total presence in space of more than 70 years. The seventh long-duration expedition crew is currently in residence aboard the International Space Station, continuing a permanent presence in space that began in October 2000. During that time, investigations have been conducted on both humans and animal models to study the bone demineralization and muscle deconditioning, space motion sickness, the causes and possible treatment of postflight orthostatic intolerance, the changes in immune function, crew and crew-ground interactions, and the medical issues of living in a space environment, such as the effects of radiation or the risk of developing kidney stones. Some results of these investigations have led to fundamental discoveries about the adaptation of the human body to the space environment. Gilles Clement has been active in this research. This book presents in a readable text the findings from the life science experiments conducted during and after space missions. Topics discussed in this book include: adaptation of sensory-motor, cardiovascular, bone and muscle systems to the microgravity of spaceflight; psychological and sociological issues of living in a confined, isolated and stressful environment; operational space medicine, such as crew selection, training and in-flight health monitoring, countermeasures and support; results of space biology experiments on individual cells, plants, and animal models; and the impact of long-duration missions such as the human mission to Mars. The author also provides a detailed description of how to fly a space experiment, based on his own experience with research projects conducted onboard Salyut-7, Mir, Spacelab, and the Space Shuttle. Now is the time to look at the future of human spaceflight and what comes next. The future human exploration of Mars captures the imagination of both the public and the scientific community. Many physiological, psychological, operational, and scientific issues need to be solved before the first crew will explore the enigmatic Red Planet. This book also identifies the showstoppers that can be foreseen and what do we need to learn to understand fully the implications and risks of such a mission. Included is a CD-ROM with PowerPoint presentations of the text with color photographs, animations, and video clips.
